The U.S.S. Cairo was the first ship in history to be sunk by an electrically detonated mine. She was sunk by the Confederates in the Yazoo River in 1862 while involved in the siege of Vicksburg. In 1956 the Cairo was discovered by Edwin C. Bearss, Don Jacks and Warren Grabau. She was finally raised in 1964. Today she sits in Vicksburg National Military Park. The Cairo is a city class gunboat designed by Samuel M. Pook and built by engineer James B. Eads. The Cairo was constructed at Mound City, Illinois, and commissioned in January, 1862.